“The photos were great, im so pleased.”
JONATHAN OWEN · ONE-TO-ONE PHOTOGRAPHY LESSONS
Get to know your camera, understand the settings and practise taking better photographs with personal tuition in Southend and across South-East Essex.
JONATHAN OWEN · ONE-TO-ONE PHOTOGRAPHY LESSONS
Get to know your camera, understand the settings and practise taking better photographs with personal tuition in Southend and across South-East Essex.
Digital Photography Basics
You might have a new camera and no idea where to start, or years of photographs taken on automatic settings. My one-to-one photography lessons give you time to ask questions, try things out and understand what changes when you adjust a setting.
I teach beginners and enthusiasts, building the session around your camera, experience and the photographs you want to take. We work practically on location, so the explanations connect to what you can see in front of you.
Exposure and camera control: understand aperture, shutter speed and ISO, and how to use them together. We can explore manual settings at a pace that makes sense to you.
Light and composition: look at where the light falls, what belongs in the frame and how a small change of position can improve a photograph.
Editing and equipment: where useful, we can cover editing essentials, including an introduction to Photoshop, or work through questions about your camera and lenses. Tell me what you would like help with when you enquire.
Your lesson options
One-hour lesson: £90. A focused introduction or time to work on a particular area, such as understanding exposure or getting comfortable with your camera controls.
Three-hour tuition block: £185. More time for explanation, guided practice and trying different approaches to light and composition. You can split the three hours across two sessions if you prefer.
Both options are one-to-one and tailored to your starting point. Send me a little about your camera and what you want to learn, and I can help you choose.
One-to-one tuition from
One-hour lesson
Wider professional photography experience, including work at Pacha Ibiza.
Feedback from people I have worked with
Read feedback on my photography and tuition. These reviews reflect individual experiences across my work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jon was absolutely fantastic photographing my 50th birthday! The photos were so natural and captured the moments perfectly without anything feeling staged or forced especially as I hate posing for pics! I couldn’t be happier with the results and will treasure these memories forever. Thank you, Jon. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for natural, beautiful photographs!
My Southend photography course is practical and location-based around South-East Essex. The setting gives us real light, changing conditions and subjects to work with, rather than treating camera settings as an abstract exercise.
We can discuss a suitable location when arranging your lesson. Southend seafront and Thorpe Bay offer light, reflections and open views; Old Leigh and Hadleigh Castle provide different opportunities for composition and observation. The choice depends on what you would like to practise.
You do not need to master everything in one session. We can concentrate on the controls you find confusing, experiment with the same subject in different ways and look at why one photograph works better than another.
If your main interest is photographing everyday scenes and people, explore my Leigh-on-Sea street photography lesson. That guided photo walk has its own focus; this page covers the broader camera and photography basics.
Your photography tutor
I’m a photographer based in Leigh-on-Sea, with over 20 years of experience photographing people and events. The everyday decisions I make about light, timing and composition are the same skills I help you understand during a lesson.
You learn directly with me, with space to ask questions and work at your own pace. I keep the explanations practical and adapt them to your camera and goals, whether you are starting from scratch or want to become more deliberate with your photography.
20+ years photographing people
One-to-one tuition
Beginners and enthusiasts
Getting started
Yes. I teach beginners as well as enthusiasts who want more control over their camera. We start with your experience and the questions you have, rather than expecting you to know the terminology already.
Digital Photography Basics can cover aperture, shutter speed, ISO and manual settings, alongside composition and practical shooting. Editing essentials and camera or equipment advice can be included where useful. We choose a focus around your goals and the time available.
DSLR, mirrorless, bridge and compact cameras can all be suitable. Bring the camera you want to learn to use, and tell me the model when you enquire so we can discuss what you need.
A one-hour lesson costs £90. A three-hour tuition block costs £185 and can be split across two sessions if you prefer. Both are one-to-one options.
Lessons are practical and location-based around Southend and South-East Essex. We agree a suitable setting for what you want to practise. For a dedicated guided photo walk, see my Leigh-on-Sea street photography lesson.
Yes. Digital photography tuition gift vouchers are available and valid for 12 months. Get in touch to discuss the recipient’s camera, experience and interests so we can choose a suitable option.
Yes, from age 12. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The accompanying adult is welcome to take part in the lesson at no extra charge.
A single standard lesson is paid in full before the session. A tuition block is normally paid before the first session, although payment per lesson can be agreed where preferred.
Event photography shadowing may be possible for people aged 18 and over. It depends on a suitable opportunity, my availability and the organiser’s permission, so we agree the specific event before booking. Where practical, standard tuition prices apply: £90 for one hour or £185 for three hours.
Use my enquiry page and include your preferred dates, camera, experience and what you would like help with. I will reply with availability and help you plan a suitable session.
